Former Cabinet minister and veteran politician Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo was laid to rest today at his family home in Lumakanda, Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, bringing to a close a week of funeral rites marked by tributes, speculation, and high-profile attendance.
Jirongo, 64, died in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025, when the private vehicle he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a Climax Coach bus along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Karai, Naivasha. The crash occurred at about 3:00 a.m., and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations and a post-mortem showed he died from severe blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen.
His body was brought to the Lumakanda homestead after an overnight vigil in Kitale and a funeral service at Lumakanda Primary School. The burial, held according to Tiriki cultural rites, saw mourners from across Western Kenya and political leaders gather to pay their last respects. Traditional dances and songs accompanied the arrival of his body early Tuesday morning, as community members and relatives lined the route to his family plot where he now lies alongside his parents and elder brother.
The ceremony was attended by a wide array of political figures, reflecting Jirongo’s long influence in national politics. President William Ruto was among the dignitaries present, alongside Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, and other Western Kenya leaders.
Earlier in the week, leaders such as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula shared personal reflections, revealing he had last met Jirongo hours before his death and urging restraint among political actors. Other voices at pre-burial events included Martha Karua, who highlighted Jirongo’s safety concerns before the crash, and Moses Kuria, who symbolically offered a traditional burial torch, underscoring calls for truth and accountability around the circumstances of his death.
In the days leading to the funeral, debate and drama accompanied Jirongo’s death. Some MPs called for CCTV footage and passenger testimonies to clarify the events preceding the crash, while the Jirongo family and political allies pushed for a deeper probe into his final movements. Leaders used memorial platforms to honour Jirongo’s legacy while appealing against politicising his death, emphasizing unity and respect for the grieving family.
Jirongo’s political career spanned decades, from his beginnings as Lugari MP to founding his own party and vying for national office. His burial drew thousands of mourners, reflecting both his impact and the deep emotions his sudden passing stirred across Kenya.
